Logistics is an integral part of the fashion industry. It involves the planning, implementation, and control of the movement of raw materials, finished products, and information from one point to another. The fashion industry is complex, with a vast array of products, suppliers, manufacturers, and retailers involved in the production and distribution process. Effective logistics management is crucial for the success of fashion companies, ensuring that products reach customers on time and in perfect condition.
However, there is often confusion about the differences between logistics and supply chain management, and many people use the two terms interchangeably. In this blog post, we will explore the role of logistics in the fashion industry, the differences between logistics and supply chain management, and the seven Rs of logistics that help fashion companies optimize their logistics operations. We will also discuss how a sourcing company like Deepwear can help fashion brands optimize their logistics operations to improve their bottom line and enhance their customer satisfaction. So, let’s get started.
THE ROLE OF LOGISTICS
At the core of any business lies the fundamental concept of exchanging goods for money or trade. However, the process of delivering these goods to the customers is equally critical. This is where logistics comes into play – it refers to the journey that the products undertake to complete the transactions.
And the fashion industry is no exception to this rule. In fact, logistics is a major factor in the fashion industry. It facilitates the movement of raw materials, finished products, and accessories from manufacturers to end customers. By managing the supply chain, optimizing inventory, reducing lead times, and improving delivery times, logistics ensures that the right products are available to customers at the right time.
And without the efficient movement of goods and services, there can be no transactions – and consequently, no profits. The smooth functioning of logistics is, therefore, essential to sustain the growth and profitability of fashion brands.
With that said, there are seven pillars of effective logistics:
Material sourcing:
Material sourcing involves much more than simply finding the cheapest supplier for raw materials used in manufacturing. In addition to identifying and managing supplier costs, there are logistics considerations involved. This includes assessing and managing contributing factors such as backorder delays, competitor priority rankings, lockouts, add-on service costs, extraneous fees, increased shipping expenses due to regulatory or distance-related factors, as well as warehousing costs.
To succeed in strategic sourcing, it is essential to have a comprehensive understanding of all of these factors and to manage them effectively. This requires a deep understanding of the complexities of logistics, and the ability to plan accordingly and achieve better outcomes in terms of both cost and quality.
Transportation:
Logistics centers around the physical transportation of goods between two locations, Point A and Point B. The first step is for a brand to choose the most suitable mode of transportation, such as air or land, and select the optimal carrier based on factors like cost, speed, and distance. In situations where multiple carriers are necessary, routes must be optimized. For global shipments, the shipper must stay informed about customs, tariffs, regulations, and compliance.
Order fulfillment:
In order to finalize a transaction, the warehouse must “pick” the necessary items according to the customer’s order, package and label them correctly, and then ship them to the customer. These processes, known as order fulfillment, are at the core of the logistics sequence for customer distribution.
Warehousing Management:
Logistic planning includes both short-term and long-term storage solutions. And logistics planners must take into account various factors such as warehouse space availability, special requirements like cold storage and docking facilities, as well as proximity to transportation modes like rail lines and shipyards.
Frequently moving or soon-to-be-shipped goods are typically stored towards the front, while lower-demand items are stored towards the back. Perishable items are rotated so that older products are shipped out first. Bundled items are usually stored together, and so on.
Demand forecasting:
Logistics heavily depends on inventory demand forecasting. This is to prevent a business from experiencing shortages in core or high-demand products or materials, as well as avoid unnecessary capital being tied up in slow-selling warehoused goods.
Inventory Management:
By utilizing inventory management techniques to anticipate spikes in demand for seasonal or trending products, businesses can boost profits and increase inventory turns. This refers to the ratio of how many times inventory is sold and replaced in a given period. Additionally, fashion brands can leverage inventory management to identify slowing inventory turns on other products, allowing them to offer discount pricing or other incentives to free up capital for reinvestment in high-demand goods.
Furthermore, inventory management also enables the proper handling of regional and store-level variations in retail sales. Rather than taking losses via discount pricing to clear poorly performing stock, brands can move inventory to another location where it is more likely to sell at a better price – optimizing profitability.
Supply chain management:
Logistics is an important link in the supply chain as it promotes the movement of goods from suppliers to manufacturers and then to sellers or distributors, and eventually to buyers.
LOGISTIC VS. SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT
Logistics and Supply Chain Management are two distinct concepts, but they are both necessary for the smooth functioning of the fashion supply chain.
Logistics covers transportation, storage, inventory management, and delivery. On the other hand, Supply Chain Management (SCM) refers to the coordination and management of activities involved in the production and delivery of products to customers. SCM involves strategic planning, procurement, production, inventory management, and logistics. SCM also includes managing the entire supply chain, from sourcing raw materials to delivering finished products to customers.
While logistics focuses on the physical movement and delivery of products, SCM is a more comprehensive concept that encompasses the planning and coordination of all activities in the supply chain. SCM is designing and implementing effective strategies to maximize the supply chain, minimize costs, and improve efficiency.
Logistics Components
In its most basic form, logistic components are:
- Intake from suppliers and material handling;
- Labeling, packaging into smaller units, organization, and warehousing;
- Inventory management for production or distribution;
- Demand planning;
- Order fulfillment; and
- Transport.
A logistics management system commonly comprises inbound and outbound transportation management, warehouse management, fleet management, order processing, inventory control, supply and demand forecasting, and management of third-party logistics service providers.
7 Rs OF LOGISTICS
The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport is an esteemed international organization for supply chain, logistics, and transport professionals. The institute has established a set of guidelines known as the “seven Rs of logistics,” which encompass the critical aspects of logistics management.
These guidelines emphasize the importance of getting the right product, in the right quantity, in the right condition, at the right place, at the right time, to the right customer, and at the right price. This comprehensive approach reflects the ultimate objective of logistics management, which is to guarantee that all aspects of the supply chain are well-managed to meet customer expectations.
And when it comes to the fashion industry, this is particularly important, as trends can change rapidly, and consumers demand instant gratification in their purchases. The fashion industry relies heavily on the timely delivery of products to meet seasonal trends and maintain a competitive edge. Therefore, logistics management in the fashion sector must adhere to the seven Rs to ensure that products are delivered accurately, on time, and at a reasonable cost.
These principles are:
- Right product: Ensuring that the product being transported is the right one for the customer’s needs.
- Right quantity: Delivering the appropriate amount of product, neither too much nor too little.
- Right condition: Making sure that the product is delivered in the appropriate condition, whether that means temperature-controlled, protected from damage, or otherwise.
- Right place: Transporting the product to the correct location, whether that is a warehouse, retail store, or directly to the customer.
- Right time: Shipping the product within the agreed-upon time frame.
- Right customer: Verifying that the product is delivered to the correct customer, is fundamental in business-to-business transactions.
- Right cost: Delivering the product at an appropriate cost that satisfies both the customer and the brand’s bottom line.
LOGISTICS MANAGEMENT: RECEIVE EXPERT GUIDANCE AND SUPPORT WITH DEEPWEAR
Deepwear is a leading logistics service provider with over 25 years of collective experience in the fashion industry and global production. With a presence in 15 countries worldwide, including major production countries like China, Thailand, India, Vietnam, Indonesia, Spain, Morocco, Turkey, Portugal, Bulgaria, The Netherlands, USA, UK, France, and Australia, we have a comprehensive understanding of the global fashion industry and how it works.
Additionally, our on-ground team oversees the entire production process, from start to finish, ensuring that we have excellent control over every aspect of the logistics process. We have built strong and reliable partnerships with some of the most reputable air and sea freight companies in the world. We understand that the transportation of goods is a critical aspect of logistics, and we only work with partners that we trust to ensure that your products are delivered on time and in perfect condition. We can also collaborate with your preferred transport companies to provide you with a flexible and customized logistics solution that meets your specific needs.
If you want to learn more about how Deepwear can help you optimize your logistics operations and improve your bottom line, CLICK HERE to start!